Bachelor Degrees
A degree is a unified programme of study leading to an academic title; a major is a concentration of courses in a discipline or subject area. Currently, UB-North offers the following bachelor degrees in the following majors:
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Social Work
- Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Accounting
- Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Management
- Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Primary Certification
- Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Secondary Certification: Business Studies
To earn a bachelor’s degree, students must:
- complete a minimum of 120 credit hours of major, General Education and elective courses. Most courses carry 3 credits; however, a varying amount of credit may be awarded for laboratories, practical courses and internships.
- have an overall minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 and minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 in major area courses. Specific programmes may require a higher minimum pass in the major.
Associate Degrees
UB-North offers the following associate degrees in the following majors:
- Associate of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems
- Associate of Applied Science in Electro-Mechanical Technology (cyclical)
To earn an associate degree, students must:
- complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of lower level major, General Education and elective courses; and
- have an overall minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 and minimum GPA of 2.00 in major area courses.
Dual Degrees
UB students have the opportunity to pursue a dual degree; that is, they may pursue two areas of interest while having the General Education and elective courses count toward both degrees. Dual degrees can consist of degrees/programmes from the same or from different academic units. The major into which the student was originally accepted is considered the primary major except in those instances where both majors lead to different levels of degrees, for example Bachelor and Associate degrees. In this instance, the higher level degree will be the primary degree.
Students must pursue both degrees simultaneously; complete the requisite course requirements for both degrees; comply with all grade requirements as specified on each contract of study; and graduate from both degrees in the same year and semester regardless of the time of application for the dual degree.
Students who wish to pursue a dual degree must:
- have earned at least 15 credits at UB;
- have earned less than 45 credits at UB in the case of dual degree requests consisting of at least one associate level degree;
- have earned less than 75 credits at UB in the case of dual bachelor level degrees;
- meet admission requirements for both degrees;
- obtain written approval in the form of the duly approved Dual Degree Request Form.
General Education Programme
In addition to the development of skills and competencies in the major, UB offers a broad liberal arts education. Undergraduate students take Gen Ed courses in student development; computer literacy; physical education, health or nutrition; a foreign language; literacy; numeracy; the Humanities, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences. Gen Ed courses ensure that students graduate with more than the disciplinary knowledge and skills provided by major area courses. The Gen Ed programme ensures well-rounded individuals by providing students with a basic understanding of other disciplines.
Students in bachelor degree programmes take a minimum of 14 Gen Ed courses or 37 credit hours: 28 lower-level credits (100 – 200 level courses) and 9 upper-level credits (300 – 400 level courses). Students in associate degree programmes take a minimum of 11 Gen Ed courses or 28 lower-level credit hours.
Based on prior learning, students may be exempted from some Gen Ed courses. Students seeking an exemption should submit a completed Request for Course Exemption Formto the Records Department, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., weekdays.
The BA in Social Work is designed to prepare generalist social workers whose practice is characterised by quality, competence, respect, dedication to professional principles and the pursuit of social and economic justice. Students develop social work skills that enable them to help people understand and manage the conditions of their daily living, accomplish life tasks and realise individual and collective aspirations. The programme’s focus is on critical thinking; practice without discrimination; respect for human diversity; advocacy; ethics; analysis of social policies; social change; the use of supervision in practice; evaluation of research studies; and the use of evidence-based theoretical frameworks to understand human development across the life span.
Through course work and the field work practicum, students engage in the helping change process while interfacing with the Bahamian community. Under the supervision of a social work practitioner, the field experience provides a period of orientation, observation and supervised practice in the delivery of social services. Students are exposed to a range of social work roles and tasks and develop competencies necessary for generalist social work practice.
BA in Social Work graduates are practitioners who are able to function proficiently in generalist social work practice with diverse multicultural clients and at-risk populations in a variety of government and private social service agencies.
The BBA in Accounting provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and principles of accounting, its operations, professional ethics and services. Students obtain an in-depth knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and international accounting standards enabling them to perform financial and governmental accounting, auditing and attestation functions, fraud and forensic accounting and taxation functions in the private and public sectors both locally and internationally. Students utilise ethical practices in keeping with accounting standards and established criteria. They learn to prepare financial statements using appropriate software and other spread sheet programmes; to audit components of financial statements; apply and analyse accounting principles; and apply research skills to provide informed recommendations. Students are encouraged to join UB’s Institute of Internal Auditors Club and The Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants Student Chapter.
BBA in Accounting graduates are provided with knowledge, expertise and skillsets that are transferable to the work environment. They obtain accounting and auditing positions in the public and private sectors both locally and internationally and successfully complete the Certified Public Accountants Examination (CPA), the Certified Internal Auditors Examination (CIA) and the Certified Fraud Examiners Examination (CFE) within a year after graduation.
The BBA in Management provides students with a broad range of management competencies and skillsets. Students are exposed to a variety of business courses such as entrepreneurship, project management, economics and finance, computer information systems, accounting, marketing and statistics. They acquire proficiency in Microsoft Office Suites; utilise statistical packages such as Minitab and SPSS;and are able to review computer generated management information to make informed decisions. They learn to prepare financial statements and compile management accounting data. They also learn to assess the economic environment and organisational human capital requirements and to recruit, train and manage human capital. Students are required to take two research courses to prepare them for the workplace or for graduate studies.
BBA in Management graduates are able to engage in innovative solutions to the benefit of all stakeholders and can utilise project management techniques to ensure efficient, desirable outcomes. They are able to assume entry-level positions in local and international industries, become entrepreneurs or pursue graduate studies.
The BEd in Primary Certification prepares students to teach grades 1 through 6. Students are exposed to fundamental educational theories including educational foundations, child development, educational assessment, inclusive education principles and practices as well as classroom techniques and management. They complete a variety of content area elementary methodology courses in science, mathematics, religion, social studies, literacy, music, art and speech and drama. Action research, embedded within the programme, prepares elementary teachers to develop and implement possible solutions to the challenges of elementary education. Under the guidance of a faculty supervisor and field cooperating teacher, students complete their capstone requirement – Teaching Practice – applying pedagogical theory, skill and competencies to practice.
The BEd Secondary Certification in Business Studies prepares students to provide instruction up to the twelfth grade level and in accelerated school-based programmes. Students are exposed to accounting principles related to the accounting cycle of a sole trader in a service or merchandising enterprise, to principles for partnerships and corporations and other related issues. They learn about management and computerised accounting, financial management and the role of various systems and users. In two instructional methods courses, prospective teachers discuss best practices in planning, preparing, presenting and evaluating lessons. Under the guidance of a faculty supervisor and field cooperating teacher, they complete their capstone requirement – Teaching Practice – applying pedagogical theory, skill and competencies to practice.
The ABA in Computer Information Systems is designed specifically for students at UB-North. This programme provides students with the requisite skills and technical competencies for entry-level positions in both the private and public sectors. It is ideally suited for students who plan to work in the computing environment or students planning to matriculate into the Bachelor of Business Administration Computer Information Systems degree programme.
The AASc in Electro-Mechanical Technology, designed specifically for students at UB-North, seeks to provide a cadre of world class tradesmen in the key areas of Metal Fabrication, Welding, Mechanical and Pipefitting. Students are exposed to a broad range of general and specific technical education courses and are provided with the necessary theoretical and laboratory preparation for the trade application. Students take foundational courses in General Physics, AC Circuits, Statics and Chemistry; courses in Material Science, Dynamics, Electrical Devices and Machines; and select three of the following areas for in-depth study and analysis — Fluid Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Mechanical Fabrication Technology, Electrical Devices and Machines II. The AASc in Electro-Mechanical Technology ensures that studentslearn concepts and principles, develop problem solving skills and participate in field experiences which link theory to practice.